Effect of chemical parameters on pyrene degradation in soil in a pulsed discharge plasma system

• A net-to-net pulsed discharge plasma system was set up to oxidize pyrene in soil.
• 87.9% of pyrene could be removed within 60 min of treatment in the PDP system.
• Increasing air flow rate was favorable for pyrene degradation.
• Removal rate of pyrene decreased when initial concentration of pyrene was increased.
• Oxidation of pyrene was more evident in acidic condition.

Degradation of pyrene in soil in a net-to-net pulsed discharge plasma (PDP) system was reviewed. Effect of main chemical parameters, including air flow rate, pyrene concentration, initial pH and soil moisture content on pyrene degradation was examined. The obtained results show that 87.9% of pyrene could be removed under the condition of 60 min reaction; increasing of air flow rate within 1 L min−1 was favorable for degradation; pyrene removal was decreased with the increase of initial pyrene concentration; oxidation of pyrene was more evident in acidic soil; enhancement of soil moisture content has no benefit on pyrene degradation.